Texas Rangers Blog

Brewers GM confirms club looking to move Greinke

Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin acknowledged on Thursday that the Brewers are in a “sell” mode with right-hander Zack Greinke.

Speaking on Milwaukee radio station WTMJ, Melvin said the Brewers are fielding inquiries on Greinke and narrowing the list of bidders to the most serious clubs. Melvin did not identify the clubs seeking Greinke, but other Brewers’ officials have said the Texas Rangers are in that group.

“I’m in the office, in the ‘war room,’ already,” Melvin said. “It’s a busy week. At this point we have to listen to opportunities to improve the ball club for the future and still try to win ball games now.”

Greinke is scheduled to start again for the Brewers on Sunday against Washington. Melvin admitted a deal could be made before that game.

“There’s no guarantee he will be moved (before) that time,” Melvin said. “There’s always possibilities. The team is back home now. He still does his work and goes out there. He knows it’s a possibility. I just don’t know at this time.”

Melvin said the Brewers have had no recent negotiations with Greinke’s representative, Casey Close. The talks never progressed beyond the “parameters” stage. The Brewers indicated they would be willing to go with a five-year deal worth more than $100 million.

“He’s at the point where he just wants to test the market,” Melvin said. “He played in a small market in Kansas City; he played in a smaller market here. He just wants to, at this late stage, he wants to see what the free-agent winds will blow his way, I guess.

“In that regard, I guess you can’t blame him when you look at the Cole Hamels and Matt Cain contracts. You can’t blame him for at least going out there and looking.”

In April, Cain agreed to an extension with San Francisco worth $133.5 million for six years, with a vested option on the final year. Philadelphia this week gave Hamels a six-year deal worth $144 million.

Greinke, 27, is 25-9 with a 3.67 ERA in 49 career starts with Milwaukee.